Adam O’Brien set to ink deal that will make him Newcastle Knights’ longest-serving coach

The Knights have full faith in coach Adam O’Brien to lead them to a premiership, re-signing the mentor to a long-term deal.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien looks on before the start of the round eight NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights at Qld Country Bank Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Newcastle have been given a massive boost on the eve of the competition, with the club and coach Adam O’Brien set to agree to a long-term deal which will make him the longest serving coach in the club’s history.

It is understood O’Brien is expected to remain at the helm of Newcastle for at least the next three seasons after the Knights decided O’Brien is the man to lead them towards the first tilt at a title since 2001.

O’Brien, whose current deal expired at the end of this year, will stay at Newcastle until at least the end of 2026 under the new deal. With 96 games already to his name, he will become just the second coach in Newcastle history to coach 100 matches when the Knights take on the Warriors in round four.

Adam O’Brien will be at Newcastle until at least the end of 2026. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Only premiership-winning mentors Malcolm Reilly (98) and Michael Hagan (154) has coached more. At some point during 2026, O’Brien will go past Hagan’s record.

It will be O’Brien’s second contract extension since joining the Knights in 2020 after taking over from Nathan Brown. He has led the side to three finals in his four seasons and when Newcastle qualified for the 2021 finals series it was the first time in 18 years the Knights had made back-to-back finals.

The two parties had been locked in discussions since the end of Newcastle’s season with the hierarchy giving O’Brien the green light after the club’s remarkable form reversible during 2023.

The side slumped to 14th on the competition ladder in June and there were rumblings surrounding O’Brien’s immediate future. However they were able to turn it around to not only salvage their season but guarantee O’Brien’s long-term future.

The Knights had one of their best seasons in years in 2023. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The Kalyn Ponga-inspired Newcastle side went on a 10-game winning streak which included an opening week finals win against the Raiders. They were knocked out of the competition a week later against the Warriors in New Zealand.

It has been a busy off-season for the Knights after they had two of the highest-profile players on the open market. They managed to secure both with NSW pair Jacob Saifiti and Bradman Best rejecting interest from rival clubs to sign three year deals to remain at the club. Improving utility Phoenix Crossland also recommitted to the club.

In further good news, hooker Jayden Brailey is also on track to return from a knee reconstruction and is expected to play some part in the pre-season.

Originally published as Adam O’Brien set to ink deal that will make him Newcastle Knights’ longest-serving coach